Educational Success in Helena-West Helena

What happens when parents, students and teachers all commit to a student’s success? If the KIPP Delta College Preparatory School in Helena-West Helena is any indication, that combination can be powerful and productive.

The KIPP charter schools began in 1994 in Houston when two young teachers, frustrated with the public school system, decided to do something about it.

In 2002, Helena-West Helena got Arkansas’ only KIPP School, which is now reporting some of the state’s highest test scores.

In a town of around 15-thousand, where nearly 40% of those residents live below the poverty line, the KIPP School is changing young lives.

The Arkansas delta, we’ve all heard the story of shriveling economy, dwindling population, and thousands living in poverty.

Opportunity is not exactly overflowing here, but in the town of Helena- West Helena one school is bringing hope to the children of the delta giving them a chance to dream big.

This is the Delta College Preparatory School, part of the national Knowledge Is Power Program or KIPP. KIPP has 57 charter schools across the country, including this one in the Arkansas delta.

(Scott Shirey, principal)”We follow 99% of the rules a district school would follow, but we’re offering students and families a choice.”

As a charter school, the Delta College Preparatory School is open to any student in the area for free.

The school has a charter with the state of Arkansas. Although it does do additional fundraising, the Delta College Preparatory School is funded by the state and federal governments the same way as any other public school, the difference is this school has control over how that money is spent.

(Shirey)”If we choose, you know we want to spend more money on text books and less on trash cans, that’s a choice we can make or if I want to pay my teachers more, I can pay my teachers more and if I want to pay my teachers less, I can pay my teachers less.”

But funding is not the only thing unique about KIPP schools. The hours are long. 7a.m. to 5:30, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 Friday, 17 Saturdays a year and three weeks in the summer. Then there is the commitment to excellence contract. Every student, parent and teacher must sign it.

(Shirey)”The commitment says whatever it takes and that has to be the mentality of our student and our teachers-we’re going to do whatever it takes for your to be successful.”

For parents that means giving up hours of their time to honor their commitment.

(Sherese Hicks, parent)”I commit to have my child here. I commit to helping with his homework, signing his agenda daily.”

Of course, the teachers are a large component of what drives this program. They come from all over the United States, some with teach for America. But they all share in the fact that they are not under contract and choose to be here.

(Amanda Abrams Johnson, teacher)”When I came, I liked what I saw. I saw students that were eager, wanting to do it, committing to getting into a college and so I wanted to be a part of that as well.”

In addition to their long hours, all teachers have cell phones provided by the school, so students or parents can reach them at any hour for help on an assignment.

And while some critics say the hours are too long and the days too structured-the fact is this program is working.

Test scores for the end of course exam in algebra one show 93% of KIPP students proficient and advanced compared to 14% in the Helena-West Helena school district and the 61% average for Arkansas.

The end of course exam in geometry shows similar numbers-95% proficient and advanced at the KIPP school, compared to 36% in the Helena-West Helena School districts and the 59% Arkansas average.

(Abrams)”I’ve been very impressed with it-the legislators have been very impressed with it.”

Ken James, the Arkansas Commissioner of Education, says KIPP is doing great things with its students. Which begs the question-if this program is working so well, why are there not more like it across the state?

Well, James says while the traditional public schools could learn from KIPP techniques, not everything can be replicated.

(Kenneth James, AR Commissioner of Education)”They hold kids to a high degree of accountability-if they’re not doing what they need to be doing what they need to be doing, in that contract, they can exit that program. Well, in your traditional k-12 program, that’s not really an option.”

Back at the Delta College Preparatory School, teachers continue to prepare their students for the ultimate goal of college.

(Casey Perry, student)”For the kids at this school, I don’t think it’s if you’re planning on it, it’s just when you’re going.”

And that is music to the KIPP school’s ears.

(Perry)”We’re not coming here saying, look, every kid should be here, we’re saying kids in Helena, Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta deserve to have a choice. It’s doesn’t matter where you’re born, you deserve to have an opportunity and a choice in this world and it’s up to you to take it.”

The state is in talks with KIPP to get a second school in the state.

 Archive: November 2007 | Section: Delta Bridge Project, KIPP School, Media, Phillips County, Southern Bancorp, Video